Baby bed

ABSTRACT

A baby bed including a baby resting plate with a top side and a bottom side; at least one connection element for connecting the baby bed to a first side of a parent bed; columns connected to the baby resting plate and extending upward from the baby resting plate to an upper frame and extending downward from the baby resting plate to a lower frame resting on a floor which columns are arranged at substantially uniform intervals on short sides of the baby resting plate and at a long side of the baby resting plate that is remote from the parent bed, wherein an elevation of the baby resting plate above the floor is continuously adjustable, wherein the at least one connection element is connected at the baby bed and extends between a parent bed box spring case and a parent bed mattress to a second side of the parent bed that is opposite to the first side of the patent bed, which connection element engages the parent bed on the second side of the parent bed, wherein a top side of a baby resting pad placed on the baby resting plate is substantially level with a top side of the mattress of the parent bed.

This application claims priority from and incorporates by reference U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/713,601 filed on Oct. 14, 2012

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a baby bed that is attachable to a parent bed.

2. Background of the Invention

Baby beds are being used for newborns up to toddler age and typically have a railing that prevents a baby from falling out of the baby bed. They are typically stand alone beds that are placed in a parent bed room close to a parent bed or possibly in a separate room. When the baby wakes up at night and starts crying, a mother has to get up, go to the baby bed pick up the baby and generally will nurse the baby in the parent bed and put it back or possibly keep it in the parent bed. Keeping a newborn in a parent's bed is quite dangerous since parents while asleep can injure or suffocate the baby. For a mother it is a considerable effort to get up at night and pick up the crying baby. Baby beds that are known in the art do not attach well to parent beds and do not offer safe and sufficient height adjustability. Height adjustability of a baby resting plate is required to adapt to parent beds with different heights. The baby bed has to be securely attached to the parent bed in order for the baby bed not to move away from the parent bed and also in order to secure the baby bed against tipping and thus injuring the baby. Baby beds or bedside fixtures are typically attached to side rails of beds or just placed on the floor, possibly connected to the floor. Since fewer and fewer contemporary beds have defined side rails and configurations are used more and more that are similar to hotel beds where a mattress is placed on an enclosed box spring case that has caster wheels it has proven difficult to securely attach a baby bed as described supra to a parent bed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore it is an object of the invention to provide a baby bed that overcomes the problems recited supra, that is simple and safe to use and producible in an economic manner. In particular the baby bed according to the invention shall be attachable to a parent bed in a safe and disengageable manner. The resting surface for the baby on a baby resting pad placed on the baby resting plate shall be substantially level with a top surface of a mattress of the parent bed so that the baby can be moved between the baby bed and the parent bed without a level change. Since U.S. beds typically do not have side rails that substantially extend vertically up to the level of the top surface of the parent bed mattress and are thus not configured for attaching the baby bed to the parent bed at sufficient height for preventing tipping, the inventor has found that it is very difficult to securely attach a baby bed whose baby top baby pad resting surface is level with a top side of a parent mattress to a combination of a mattress and a box spring on the side of the parent bed where the baby bed is located. Surprisingly the inventor has found that a secure attachment of the baby bed to the parent bed can be provided by extending at least one connection element transversal to the parent bed to an opposite side of the parent bed where the baby bed is not located and have the connection element engage the box spring case and/or the mattress under tension at a location where the mattress and the box spring case typically have square edges that can be engaged with an engagement element.

In order to provide additional tipping safety the connection element can be configured at least partially rigid for example as a steel bar and extend with its rigid portion that is fixated at the baby bed between the mattress and the box spring case while being held therein by the friction generated by the weight of the mattress and the tension of the connection element engaging the other side of the mattress. This secures the connection element against being pulled and pivoting and thus secures the baby bed against flipping.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment a second portion of the connection element is configured spring elastic so that the first portion of the connection element that is connected to the baby bed is pulled spring loaded against the side of the parent bed where the baby bed is attached so that the baby bed is continuously elastically pulled against the parent bed. This arrangement provides a snug, flexible and secure connection of baby bed and parent bed allowing both beds to be moved by small amounts relative to one another, wherein the baby bed is subsequently pulled back against the parent bed so that in no case a separation occurs that might cause injury to the baby.

The object is achieved by a baby bed including a baby resting plate with a top side and a bottom side; at least one connection element for connecting the baby bed to a first side of a parent bed; columns connected to the baby resting plate and extending upward from the baby resting plate to an upper frame and extending downward from the baby resting plate to a lower frame resting on a floor which columns are arranged at substantially uniform intervals on short sides of the baby resting plate and at a long side of the baby resting plate that is remote from the parent bed, wherein an elevation of the baby resting plate above the floor is continuously adjustable, wherein the at least one connection element is connected at the baby bed and extends between a parent bed box spring case and a parent bed mattress to a second side of the parent bed that is opposite to the first side of the patent bed, which connection element engages the parent bed on the second side of the parent bed, wherein a top side of a baby resting pad placed on the baby resting plate is substantially level with a top side of the mattress of the parent bed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in more detail based on advantageous embodiments with reference to drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a baby bed according to the invention with two straps attached to a parent bed;

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the embodiment of the baby bed according to FIG. 1. and the parent bed from a head end of the parent bed;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of an embodiment of a baby bed according to the invention with two straps attached to a frame rail and the parent bed from a head end of the parent bed;

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of an embodiment of a baby bed according to the invention with a partially rigid attachment element and the parent bed from a head end of the parent bed;

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of an embodiment of a baby bed according to the invention and the parent bed from a head end of the parent bed; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a baby resting plate with mounting clamps for attachment to baby bed columns.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The baby bed according to the invention solves the problem of having a baby close to and accessible from a parent bed by supporting a baby resting pad on a baby resting plate so that the top surface of the baby resting pad is at the same level as a top surface of a parent mattress. The baby is secured on three sides by columns that extend vertically upward from the baby resting plate and are connected above the baby resting plate to a top frame that follows the outline of the baby resting plate. The columns extend vertically downward from the baby resting plate to a bottom frame that rests on a floor. The baby resting plate is attached to the columns through attachment elements advantageously configured as clamps that facilitate continuous elevation adjustment of the baby resting plate. The baby bed is attached to the parent bed through an attachment element in a disengageable manner. The attachment element can be advantageously configured as a strap that runs between a box spring case of the parent bed and a mattress of the parent bed to a side of the parent bed that is opposite to the side where the baby bed is attached. The strap is advantageously attached to an engagement plate on the opposite side of the parent bed which engages the box spring case and/or the mattress. Though the length adjustable strap the baby bed can be pulled tight against the parent bed so that the baby bed is secured against tipping and/or moving away from the parent bed.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the baby bed 1 including a baby resting plate 2 connected to columns 4 that are spaced in substantially uniform intervals about two short sides 6 of a circumference of the baby resting plate and a long side 8 of the baby resting plate which long side is remote from a parent bed 10 to which the baby bed is attached. The baby resting plate 2 is connected to the columns 4 that are advantageously configured circular through plural attachment brackets 12. A soft baby resting pad 14 that has substantially the size and outline on the baby resting plate is placed on top of the baby resting plate. Typically the baby resting pad is made from foam material with a cloth cover and about 2″ thick.

Through the attachment elements the baby resting plate 2 is continuously adjustable in elevation to facilitate an adjustment of the top surface of the baby resting pad 14 to an elevation of a top surface of a parent bed mattress 16 which is typically in a range between 25″ and 32″ above a floor. The continuous adjustment of the baby resting plate also facilitates that the baby bed can be used as a desk or as a bench later on when the child grows older. The attachment brackets 12 of the baby resting plate are strong enough so that the baby bed supports at least 100 lb on the baby resting plate so that it can be used as a bench later on.

The columns 4 which have a diameter between 0.5″ and 1″ are connected at their top ends with a top frame 18 following the circumference of the baby resting plate. Typically a top surface of the top frame of the baby bed will be at least 12″ above the top surface of the baby resting plate when the baby resting plate is adjusted to bring the top surface of the baby resting pad to the level of the top surface of the parent bed mattress 16. The baby bed is accessible for a parent at a side of the baby bed that is adjacent to the parent bed 10 including a parent bed mattress 16 and a box spring case 20 so that the baby can be moved from the baby bed 1 to the parent bed 10 and back with ease and without a level change. A top surface of the baby bed resting plate places a top surface of a baby resting pad 14 substantially at the same elevation as a top surface of the parent bed mattress 16 so that the baby does not have to be lifted or lowered when moved between the baby bed and the parent bed. From a bottom surface of the baby resting plate 2 the columns 4 extend on three sides of the baby resting plate in downward direction and are connected with a bottom frame 22 that rests on a floor. The bottom frame 22 also follows the outline of the baby resting plate.

A horizontal cross brace 24 extends parallel to the long side of the baby bed proximal to the parent bed and connects at least two, advantageously four columns 4 on opposite short sides of the baby bed to increase overall stability of the frame of the baby bed. The elevation of the cross brace is continuously adjustable along the column. The elevation of the top surface of the cross brace is advantageously adjustable to the elevation of the box spring case 20 in a range between 10″ and 25″.

Connection elements 26 advantageously configured as length adjustable straps are connected through quick connectors 28 to at least two of the columns 4 on short sides of the baby bed. Then the connection elements are run within the outline of the top and bottom frame over a top surface of a cross brace 24 and extend between the parent bed box spring case 20 and the parent bed mattress 16 to the opposite side of the parent bed where the connection element 26 is connected to at least one engagement element 30 that can be pulled tight against the parent bed by tightening the connection elements 26. Running the connection elements over the top surface of the cross brace 24 or fixating them in vertical direction at the columns 4 most proximal to the parent bed provides excellent tipping safety for the baby bed since the brace or the attachment point at a column 4 will rise when the baby bed pivots away from the parent bed about a pivot axis that coincides with the rear edge of the bottom frame of the baby bed which rear edge is remote from the parent bed. The rising of the brace or the attachment point additionally tightens the connection elements so that baby bed can only perform minimal pivot movements and horizontal movements and is safely secured against tipping and moving away from the parent bed.

FIG. 2 illustrates the baby bed 1 according to the invention in a view from the head end of the parent bed. The connection element 26 is a configured as a strap and connected to one of the columns on each short side of the baby bed, then runs over the top side of the cross brace 16 and extends between the box spring 7 and the mattress 6 to the opposite side of the parent bed where the connection element is connected to an engagement element that engages the box spring case and/or the mattress on the opposite side of the parent bed. One respective connection element 26 is attached on each short side of the baby bed and tightened against the at least one engagement element. The at least one engagement element is advantageously configured as a plate. Running the connection element above the cross brace or fixating it in vertical direction at column 3 that is most proximal to the parent bed substantially increases tipping safety of the baby bed since the cross brace moves the connection element in upward direction when the top of the baby bed is tilted away from the parent bed.

FIG. 3 illustrates an advantageous embodiment of the baby bed where the connection element is connected to a side rail 32 of a parent bed frame and connected to one of the columns 4 above the cross brace 24. Also in this case the baby bed is firmly secured against tilting or moving away from the parent bed since the attachment point at the baby bed and/or the brace move up away from the attachment point of the baby bed at the side rail of the bed frame of the parent bed when the baby bed starts to move or tilt away from the parent bed. This embodiment avoids running the connection element between the parent bed mattress 16 and the box spring 20 and facilitates omitting the engagement element 30.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the baby bed where the connection element includes a rigid portion 34 that is fixated at the cross brace 24 and extends between the box spring case and the mattress so that the rigid portion of the connection element prevents the baby bed from pivoting away from the parent bed. The rigid portion of the connection element has a length in a range between 8″ and 14″ and is advantageously configured as steel tongue.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the baby bed where the length adjustable connection elements are attached at the columns 4 at the elevation of the box spring case, run between the box spring case and the mattress and looped back to the baby bed under the box spring case and attached to the columns 4 at the level of the bottom surface of the box spring case. The advantage of this embodiment is that no engagement element is required. The attachment element is advantageously attached at the columns at the upper attachment point fixated in elevation. This prevents the attachment element from sliding down on the column from the upper attachment point when the baby bed is tilted or moved away from the parent bed which provides excellent tipping safety.

FIG. 6 illustrates the baby resting plate 2 with its long sides 8, its short sides 6 and with its attachment brackets 24. The attachment brackets clamp the baby resting 2 plate at the columns 4 at any desired elevation so that the baby bed is adjustable to match any desired elevation of a parent bed and can late on serve as a desk or bench.

The connection element is advantageously configured spring elastic in a direction transversal to the parent

The baby bed according to claim 5, wherein the height of the baby resting plate is continuously adjustable between 20″ and 32″ above the floor.

A distance 36 between the columns 4 is advantageously between 2″ and 2⅜″.

The baby bed is advantageously made from wood.

The baby bed is advantageously configured with a ratio of width 36 of the baby bed to the height 38 of the baby bed is greater than 0.8 which provides excellent tipping safety at reasonable production cost for the required overall height.

The baby bed is advantageously configured with a ratio of a depth of the baby bed to the height of the baby bed is greater than 0.45 which provides excellent tipping safety at reasonable production cost for the required overall height.

Although several embodiments of the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that changes, substitutions, transformations, modifications, variations, permutations and alterations may be made therein without departing from the teachings of the present invention, the spirit and the scope of the invention being set forth by the appended claims.

REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESIGNATIONS

-   -   1 baby bed     -   2 baby resting plate     -   4 column     -   6 short side of baby resting plate     -   8 long side of baby resting plate     -   10 parent bed     -   12 attachment bracketbv     -   14 baby resting pad     -   16 parent bed mattress     -   18 top frame     -   20 box spring case     -   22 bottom frame     -   24 cross brace     -   26 connection element     -   28 quick connector     -   30 engagement element     -   32 side rail of parent bed frame     -   34 rigid portion of connection element     -   36 width     -   38 height     -   40 depth 

What is claimed is:
 1. A baby bed, comprising: a baby resting plate with a top side and a bottom side; at least one connection element for connecting the baby bed to a first side of a parent bed; columns connected to the baby resting plate and extending upward from the baby resting plate to an upper frame and extending downward from the baby resting plate to a lower frame resting on a floor which columns are arranged at substantially uniform intervals on short sides of the baby resting plate and at a long side of the baby resting plate that is remote from the parent bed, wherein an elevation of the baby resting plate above the floor is continuously adjustable, wherein the at least one connection element is connected at the baby bed and extends between a parent bed box spring case and a parent bed mattress to a second side of the parent bed that is opposite to the first side of the patent bed, which connection element engages the parent bed on the second side of the parent bed, wherein a top side of a baby resting pad placed on the baby resting plate is substantially level with a top side of the mattress of the parent bed.
 2. The baby bed according to claim 1, wherein the connection element is spring elastic in a direction transversal to the parent bed to engage the second side of the parent bed.
 3. The baby bed according to claim 1, wherein the connection element includes a belt and an engagement element.
 4. The baby bed according to claim 1, wherein the connection element includes a rigid component that extends from the baby bed into a gap between the box spring case and the mattress, wherein the rigid element transfers a force to the mattress which force is generated when the baby bed is tilted away from the parent bed.
 5. The baby bed according to claim 1, wherein the height of the baby resting plate is continuously adjustable through clamps on the columns.
 6. The baby bed according to claim 5, wherein the height of the baby resting plate is continuously adjustable between 20″ and 32″ above the floor.
 7. The baby bed according to claim 1, a distance between the columns is between 2″ and 2⅜″.
 8. The baby bed according to claim 1, wherein the baby bed is made from wood.
 9. The baby bed according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of width of the baby bed to the height of the baby bed is greater than 0.8.
 10. The baby bed according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of a depth of the baby bed to the height of the baby bed is greater than 0.45.
 11. The baby bed according to claim 1, wherein a cross brace is attached at least at two columns and extends under the baby resting plate on a side of the baby bed that is adjacent to the parent bed.
 12. The baby bed according to claim 11, wherein the cross brace is continuously adjustable in height.
 13. A baby bed, comprising: a baby resting plate with a top side and a bottom side; at least one connection element for connecting the baby bed to a first side of a parent bed; columns connected to the baby resting plate and extending upward from the baby resting plate to an upper frame and extending downward from the baby resting plate to a lower frame resting on a floor which columns are arranged at substantially uniform intervals on short sides of the baby resting plate and at a long side of the baby resting plate that is remote from the parent bed, wherein an elevation of the baby resting plate above the floor is continuously adjustable, wherein the at least one connection element is connected at the baby bed and extends between a parent bed box spring case and a parent bed mattress to a second side of the parent bed that is opposite to the first side of the patent bed, which connection element engages the parent bed on the second side of the parent bed, wherein a top side of a baby resting pad placed on the baby resting plate is substantially level with a top side of the mattress of the parent bed, wherein the connection element is spring elastic in a direction transversal to the parent bed to engage the second side of the parent bed, wherein the connection element includes a belt and an engagement element, wherein the connection element includes a rigid component that extends from the baby bed into a gap between the box spring case and the mattress, wherein the rigid element transfers a force to the mattress which force is generated when the baby bed is tilted away from the parent bed, wherein the height of the baby resting plate is continuously adjustable through clamps on the columns, wherein the height of the baby resting plate is continuously adjustable between 20″ and 32″ above the floor, wherein a distance between the columns is between 2″ and 2⅜″, wherein the baby bed is made from wood, wherein the ratio of width of the baby bed to the height of the baby bed is greater than 0.8, wherein the ratio of a depth of the baby bed to the height of the baby bed is greater than 0.45, wherein a cross brace is attached at least at two columns and extends under the baby resting plate on a side of the baby bed that is adjacent to the parent bed, wherein the cross brace is continuously adjustable in height. 